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Sex, equality, and growth

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  • Nils-Petter Lagerlöf

Abstract

We set up a model of economic and demographic long-run development, where inequality in income and reproductive success (polygynous mating) plays a central role. The model generates a slow and gradual compression of the income gap between landholders and landless, together with rising levels of human capital. This process spurts at some stage, as society endogenously transits into sustained growth. Simultaneously, inequality in income and reproductive success drops; society becomes monogamous.

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  • Nils-Petter Lagerlöf, 2005. "Sex, equality, and growth," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 38(3), pages 807-831, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:38:y:2005:i:3:p:807-831
    DOI: 10.1111/j.0008-4085.2005.00303.x
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    18. Tamura, Robert, 2002. "Human capital and the switch from agriculture to industry," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 207-242, December.
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    1. > Demographic Economics > The Economics of Polygamy

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    Cited by:

    1. David De La Croix & Fabio Mariani, 2015. "From Polygyny to Serial Monogamy: A Unified Theory of Marriage Institutions," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 82(2), pages 565-607.
    2. Ingela Alger & Donald Cox, 2013. "The evolution of altruistic preferences: mothers versus fathers," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 11(3), pages 421-446, September.
    3. Brooks A. Kaiser & Marina E. Adshade, 2008. "The Origins Of The Institutions Of Marriage," Working Paper 1180, Economics Department, Queen's University.
    4. Sadettin Citci, 2014. "The rise of monogamy," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 5(4), pages 377-397, November.
    5. Gould, Eric D. & Moav, Omer & Simhon, Avi, 2012. "Lifestyles of the rich and polygynous in Cote d’Ivoire," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 115(3), pages 404-407.
    6. Anyck Dauphin, 2013. "The Role of Polygyny in the Intrahousehold Efficiency of Agricultural Production in West Africa," Cahiers de recherche 1323, CIRPEE.

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